DOCSLIB.ORG

Corruption on Trial? RIGHTS the Record of Nigeria’S Economic and Financial Crimes Commission WATCH

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Corruption on Trial? RIGHTS the Record of Nigeria’S Economic and Financial Crimes Commission WATCH Nigeria HUMAN Corruption on Trial? RIGHTS The Record of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission WATCH Nigeria: Corruption on Trial? The Record of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Copyright © 2011 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 1-56432-800-7 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor New York, NY 10118-3299 USA Tel: +1 212 290 4700, Fax: +1 212 736 1300 [email protected] Poststraße 4-5 10178 Berlin, Germany Tel: +49 30 2593 06-10, Fax: +49 30 2593 0629 [email protected] Avenue des Gaulois, 7 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: + 32 (2) 732 2009, Fax: + 32 (2) 732 0471 [email protected] 51, Avenue Blanc 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 738 0481, Fax: +41 22 738 1791 [email protected] 2-12 Pentonville Road, 2nd Floor London N1 9HF, UK Tel: +44 20 7713 1995, Fax: +44 20 7713 1800 [email protected] 27 Rue de Lisbonne 75008 Paris, France Tel: +33 (1)43 59 55 35, Fax: +33 (1) 43 59 55 22 [email protected] 1st fl, Wilds View Isle of Houghton, Boundary Road (at Carse O'Gowrie) Parktown, 2198 South Africa Tel: +27-11-484-2640, Fax: +27-11-484-2641 1630 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 USA Tel: +1 202 612 4321, Fax: +1 202 612 4333 [email protected] Web Site Address: http://www.hrw.org AUGUST 2011 ISBN: 1-56432-800-7 Nigeria: Corruption on Trial? The Record of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Summary ............................................................................................................................. 1 Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction: Corruption and Human Rights in Nigeria ........................................................ 6 Background and Context ..................................................................................................... 8 The Rise and Fall of Nuhu Ribadu ............................................................................................. 9 Ribadu’s Downfall ............................................................................................................ 11 The EFCC after Ribadu ............................................................................................................ 14 Comparing the EFCC’s Performance under Ribadu and Waziri ............................................ 15 Prosecutions of Nationally Prominent Political Figures ............................................................ 17 Prosecutions ................................................................................................................... 18 Convictions .................................................................................................................... 22 The EFCC’s Convictions ................................................................................................... 22 Obstacles to Success ........................................................................................................ 26 Contextual Problems ............................................................................................................. 26 A System that Rewards Corruption ................................................................................... 26 Political Interference in Anti-Corruption Cases ................................................................. 28 Judicial Inefficiency and Deliberate Delay ......................................................................... 31 Concerns About Judicial Impropriety and Corruption ........................................................ 36 The EFCC’s Own Shortcomings ............................................................................................... 41 Error and Incompetence .................................................................................................. 41 Allegations of Poor Leadership ........................................................................................ 43 Allegations of Corruption ................................................................................................ 46 Unreliable Partners: The ICPC and CCB ................................................................................... 46 The ICPC ......................................................................................................................... 47 The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal ....................................................................... 49 Role of Nigeria’s International Partners ............................................................................ 52 An Agenda for the Jonathan Administration ....................................................................... 55 Publicly Demonstrate Good Faith ........................................................................................... 55 Push Forward Security of Tenure for the EFCC Chairman .......................................................... 55 Propose Amendments to Eliminate the Requirement that the EFCC Chairman be a Law Enforcement or Security Agency Official ................................................................................. 56 Investigate Farida Waziri’s Performance ................................................................................. 57 Empower the Code of Conduct Bureau to Publicize Asset Declarations .................................... 57 Appoint the Right Leadership at the Head of the ICPC ............................................................. 58 Work to Improve the Courts ................................................................................................... 58 Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 61 To the Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan ........................................................... 61 To Nigeria’s State Governments ............................................................................................. 61 To the National Assembly ...................................................................................................... 61 To the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ................................................................ 62 To the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission ...................... 62 To the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal .......................................................................... 62 To Nigeria’s International Partners ......................................................................................... 62 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................ 64 Summary Corruption is so pervasive in Nigeria that it has turned public service for many into a kind of criminal enterprise. Graft has fueled political violence, denied millions of Nigerians access to even the most basic health and education services, and reinforced police abuses and other widespread patterns of human rights violations. This report analyzes the most promising effort Nigeria’s government has ever undertaken to fight corruption—the work of its Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Soon after it was established in December 2002, the EFCC began pursuing corruption cases in a way that publicly challenged the ironclad impunity enjoyed by Nigeria’s political elite. Since its inception, the EFCC has arraigned 30 nationally prominent political figures on corruption charges and has recovered, according to the EFCC, some US$11 billion through its efforts. But many of the corruption cases against the political elite have made little progress in the courts: there have been only four convictions to date and those convicted have faced relatively little or no prison time. Other senior political figures who have been widely implicated in corruption have not been prosecuted. At this writing, not a single politician was serving prison time for any of these alleged crimes. Despite its promise, the EFCC has fallen far short of its potential and eight years after its inception is left with a battered reputation and an uncertain record of accomplishment. This report examines the EFCC’s record against high-level corruption and the reasons for its shortcomings. Human Rights Watch believes that in spite of myriad setbacks, a stronger and more independent EFCC represents Nigeria’s most promising avenue to make tangible progress in the fight against corruption in the near future. In large part, this is because the EFCC is the only Nigerian government institution that has posed a meaningful challenge to the impunity enjoyed by corrupt and powerful members of the political elite. This report explains pragmatic steps the Nigerian government can take towards that goal. Most analysis of the EFCC has focused on the commission’s two very different leaders. Nuhu Ribadu, the EFCC’s first head, built the institution into what it is. The media-savvy and dynamic Ribadu regularly and publicly declared war on corrupt politicians. But his legacy was tarnished by evidence that his anti-corruption agenda was selective, dictated at least in part by the political whims of then-president, Olusegun Obasanjo. Ribadu was forced from office just two weeks after he tried to prosecute powerful former Delta State governor James Ibori, a close associate of Obasanjo’s successor in office, Umaru Yar’Adua. 1 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | AUGUST 2011 Current EFCC chairman,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria Sgo.Sagepub.Com
    SGOXXX10.1177/2158244015576053SAGE OpenSuleiman and Karim 576053research-article2015 Article SAGE Open January-March 2015: 1 –11 Cycle of Bad Governance and Corruption: © The Author(s) 2015 DOI: 10.1177/2158244015576053 The Rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria sgo.sagepub.com Mohammed Nuruddeen Suleiman1 and Mohammed Aminul Karim1 Abstract This article argues that bad governance and corruption particularly in the Northern part of Nigeria have been responsible for the persistent rise in the activities of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JASLWJ), Arabic for “people committed to the propagation of the tradition and jihad.” It is also known as “Boko Haram,” commonly translated as “Western education is sin.” Based on qualitative data obtained through interviews with Nigerians, this article explicates how poor governance in the country has created a vicious cycle of corruption, poverty, and unemployment, leading to violence. Although JASLWJ avows a religious purpose in its activities, it takes full advantage of the social and economic deprivation to recruit new members. For any viable short- or long-term solution, this article concludes that the country must go all-out with its anti- corruption crusade. This will enable the revival of other critical sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, likely ensuring more employment. Should the country fail to stamp out corruption, it will continue to witness an upsurge in the activities of JASLWJ, and perhaps even the emergence of other violent groups. The spillover effects may be felt not only across Nigeria but also within the entire West African region. Keywords Nigeria, governance, corruption, militancy, Boko Haram, democracy Introduction own desired objectives and methods.
    [Show full text]
  • Combating Corruption in Nigeria: a Critical Appraisal of the Laws, Institutions, and the Political Will Osita Nnamani Ogbu
    Annual Survey of International & Comparative Law Volume 14 | Issue 1 Article 6 2008 Combating Corruption in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal of the Laws, Institutions, and the Political Will Osita Nnamani Ogbu Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/annlsurvey Part of the Other Law Commons Recommended Citation Ogbu, Osita Nnamani (2008) "Combating Corruption in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal of the Laws, Institutions, and the Political Will," Annual Survey of International & Comparative Law: Vol. 14: Iss. 1, Article 6. Available at: http://digitalcommons.law.ggu.edu/annlsurvey/vol14/iss1/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Academic Journals at GGU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Annual Survey of International & Comparative Law by an authorized administrator of GGU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ogbu: Combating Corruption in Nigeria COMBATING CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA: A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE LAWS, INSTITUTIONS, AND THE POLITICAL WILL OSITA NNAMANI OGBU· I. INTRODUCTION Corruption is pervasive and widespread in Nigerian society. It has permeated all facets of life, and every segment of society is involved. In recent times, Nigeria has held the unenviable record of being considered one of the most corrupt countries among those surveyed I. The Political Bureau, set up under the Ibrahim Babangida regime, summed up the magnitude of corruption in Nigeria as follows: It [corruption] pervades all strata of the society. From the highest level of the political and business elites to the ordinary person in the village. Its multifarious manifestations include the inflation of government contracts in return for kickbacks; fraud and falsification of accounts in the public service; examination * Senior Lecturer, and Ag.
    [Show full text]
  • The Case Study of Violent Conflict in Taraba State (2013 - 2015)
    Violent Conflict in Divided Societies The Case Study of Violent Conflict in Taraba State (2013 - 2015) Nigeria Conflict Security Analysis Network (NCSAN) World Watch Research November, 2015 [email protected] www.theanalytical.org 1 Violent Conflict in Divided Societies The Case Study of Violent Conflict in Taraba State (2013 - 2015) Taraba State, Nigeria. Source: NCSAN. The Deeper Reality of the Violent Conflict in Taraba State and the Plight of Christians Nigeria Conflict and Security Analysis Network (NCSAN) Working Paper No. 2, Abuja, Nigeria November, 2015 Authors: Abdulbarkindo Adamu and Alupse Ben Commissioned by World Watch Research, Open Doors International, Netherlands No copyright - This work is the property of World Watch Research (WWR), the research department of Open Doors International. This work may be freely used, and spread, but with acknowledgement of WWR. 2 Acknowledgements The authors acknowledge with gratitude all that granted NCSAN interviews or presented documented evidence on the ongoing killing of Christians in Taraba State. We thank the Catholic Secretariat, Catholic Diocese of Jalingo for their assistance in many respects. We also thank the Chairman of the Muslim Council, Taraba State, for accepting to be interviewed during the process of data collection for this project. We also extend thanks to NKST pastors as well as to pastors of CRCN in Wukari and Ibi axis of Taraba State. Disclaimers Hausa-Fulani Muslim herdsmen: Throughout this paper, the phrase Hausa-Fulani Muslim herdsmen is used to designate those responsible for the attacks against indigenous Christian communities in Taraba State. However, the study is fully aware that in most reports across northern Nigeria, the term Fulani herdsmen is also in use.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a New Type of Regime in Sub-Saharan Africa?
    Towards a New Type of Regime in Sub-Saharan Africa? DEMOCRATIC TRANSITIONS BUT NO DEMOCRACY Marc-Antoine Pérouse de Montclos cahiers & conférences travaux & recherches les études The Institut français des relations internationales (Ifri) is a research center and a forum for debate on major international political and economic issues. Headed by Thierry de Montbrial since its founding in 1979, Ifri is a non-governmental and a non- profit organization. As an independent think tank, Ifri sets its own research agenda, publishing its findings regularly for a global audience. Using an interdisciplinary approach, Ifri brings together political and economic decision-makers, researchers and internationally renowned experts to animate its debate and research activities. With offices in Paris and Brussels, Ifri stands out as one of the rare French think tanks to have positioned itself at the very heart of European debate. The opinions expressed in this text are the responsibility of the author alone. The Sub-Saharian Africa Program is supported by: Translated by: Henry Kenrick, in collaboration with the author © Droits exclusivement réservés – Ifri – Paris, 2010 ISBN: 978-2-86592-709-8 Ifri Ifri-Bruxelles 27 rue de la Procession Rue Marie-Thérèse, 21 75740 Paris Cedex 15 – France 1000 Bruxelles – Belgique Tél. : +33 (0)1 40 61 60 00 Tél. : +32 (0)2 238 51 10 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Internet Website : Ifri.org Summary Sub-Saharan African hopes of democratization raised by the end of the Cold War and the decline in the number of single party states are giving way to disillusionment.
    [Show full text]
  • Ethics of Violence in Nigeria
    ETHICS OF VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA SAMSON ELIAS MIJAH N.C.E., (UNIMAID.), B.Ed., (A.B.U.), M.A., (UNIJOS.). PGA/UJ/11332/00 A thesis in the Department of RELIGIOUS STUDIES, Faculty ofArts. Submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies, University of Jos, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY of the UNIVERSITY OF JOS OCTOBER 2005 ii CERTIFICATION This is to certify that the research work for this thesis and subsequent preparation of this thesis by Samson Elias Mijah (PGA/UJ/11332/00) were carried out under my supervision. _________________________ ________________________ Supervisor Head of Department Professor Cyril O. Imo (Ph.D) Rev. J.M. Kangdim (Ph.D) _________________________ ________________________ Dean, Faculty of Arts Internal Examiner _________________________ ________________________ External Examiner Dean, School of Post- Graduate Studies. iii DECLARATION I, Samson Elias Mijah, do hereby declare that, apart from the references cited in this work, for which I have duly acknowledged, this work is the result of my own research. To the best of my knowledge, this thesis has neither in whole nor in part been presented for another Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) elsewhere. _____________________ SAMSON ELIAS MIJAH OCTOBER 2005 iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My gratitude goes first, to God Almighty who graciously sustained me through the rigours, pains and joy of this terminal degree of a Ph.D. I acknowledge with thanks, the indefatigable supervisory role of Professor Cyril O. Imo, of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Jos. He has at several times availed himself to me for pure academic digest in respect to this thesis.
    [Show full text]
  • NIGERIA COUNTRY of ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service
    NIGERIA COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service 6 January 2012 NIGERIA 6 JANUARY 2012 Contents Preface Latest news EVENTS IN NIGERIA FROM 16 DECEMBER 2011 TO 3 JANUARY 2012 Useful news sources for further information REPORTS ON NIGERIA PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED AFTER 15 DECEMBER 2011 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................ 1.01 Map ........................................................................................................................ 1.07 2. ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 2.01 3. HISTORY (1960 – 2011) ........................................................................................... 3.01 Independence (1960) – 2010 ................................................................................ 3.02 Late 2010 to February 2011 ................................................................................. 3.04 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (MARCH 2011 TO NOVEMBER 2011) ...................................... 4.01 Elections: April, 2011 ....................................................................................... 4.01 Inter-communal violence in the middle belt of Nigeria ................................. 4.08 Boko Haram ...................................................................................................... 4.14 Human rights in the Niger Delta .........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Authority Stealing 00A Adebanwi Fmt 11/23/11 12:01 PM Page Ii
    00a adebanwi fmt 11/23/11 12:01 PM Page i Authority Stealing 00a adebanwi fmt 11/23/11 12:01 PM Page ii Carolina Academic Press African World Series Toyin Falola, Series Editor Africa, Empire and Globalization: Essays in Honor of A. G. Hopkins Toyin Falola, editor, and Emily Brownell, editor African Entrepreneurship in Jos, Central Nigeria, 1902 –1985 S.U. Fwatshak An African Music and Dance Curriculum Model: Performing Arts in Education Modesto Amegago Authority Stealing: Anti-Corruption War and Democratic Politics in Post-Military Nigeria Wale Adebanwi The Bukusu of Kenya: Folktales, Culture and Social Identities Namulundah Florence Democracy in Africa: Political Changes and Challenges Saliba Sarsar, editor, and Julius O. Adekunle, editor Diaspora and Imagined Nationality: USA-Africa Dialogue and Cyberframing Nigerian Nationhood Koleade Odutola 00a adebanwi fmt 11/23/11 12:01 PM Page iii Food Crop Production, Hunger, and Rural Poverty in Nigeria’s Benue Area, 1920 –1995 Mike Odugbo Odey Intercourse and Crosscurrents in the Atlantic World: Calabar-British Experience, 17th –20th Centuries David Lishilinimle Imbua Perspectives on Feminism in Africa ‘Lai Olurode, editor Pioneer, Patriot, and Nigerian Nationalist: A Biography of the Reverend M. D. Opara, 1915 –1965 Felix Ekechi The Tiv and Their Southern Neighbours, 1890 –1990 Emmanuel Chiahemba Ayanga ôr The Women’s War of 1929: A History of Anti-Colonial Resistance in Eastern Nigeria Toyin Falola and Adam Paddock The Yoruba Frontier: A Regional History of Community Formation, Experience, and Changes in West Africa Aribidesi Usman 00a adebanwi fmt 11/23/11 12:01 PM Page iv 00a adebanwi fmt 11/23/11 12:01 PM Page v Authority Stealing Anti-Corruption War and Democratic Politics in Post-Military Nigeria Wale Adebanwi Carolina Academic Press Durham, North Carolina 00a adebanwi fmt 11/23/11 12:01 PM Page vi Copyright © 2012 Wale Adebanwi All Rights Reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Adebanwi, Wale.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria's Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
    Nigeria’s Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Just a Glorious Audit? Nicholas Shaxson November 2009 Nigeria’s Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Just a Glorious Audit? Nicholas Shaxson November 2009 © Royal Institute of International Affairs, 2009 Chatham House (the Royal Institute of International Affairs) is an independent body which promotes the rigorous study of international questions and does not express opinion of its own. The opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the authors. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. Please direct all enquiries to the publishers. Chatham House 10 St James’s Square London, SW1Y 4LE T: +44 (0) 20 7957 5700 F: +44 (0) 20 7957 5710 www.chathamhouse.org.uk Charity Registration No. 208223 ISBN 978 1 86203 219 4 A catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library. Designed and typeset by Soapbox Communications Limited www.soapboxcommunications.co.uk Contents Preface v About the Author vii Executive Summary viii List of Abbreviations x 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Global EITI 1 1.2 Nigeria’s oil industry 3 1.3 NEITI: brief history and context 4 1.3.1 Technical and procedural context 4 1.3.2 Political history and context 6 1.4 EITI’s and NEITI’s goals 7 1.5 Rulers, oil companies, citizens – and NEITI 8 2. Reforms,
    [Show full text]
  • First Election Security Threat Assessment
    SECURITY THREAT ASSESSMENT: TOWARDS 2015 ELECTIONS January – June 2013 edition With Support from the MacArthur Foundation Table of Contents I. Executive Summary II. Security Threat Assessment for North Central III. Security Threat Assessment for North East IV. Security Threat Assessment for North West V. Security Threat Assessment for South East VI. Security Threat Assessment for South South VII. Security Threat Assessment for South West Executive Summary Political Context The merger between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and other smaller parties, has provided an opportunity for opposition parties to align and challenge the dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This however will also provide the backdrop for a keenly contested election in 2015. The zoning arrangement for the presidency is also a key issue that will define the face of the 2015 elections and possible security consequences. Across the six geopolitical zones, other factors will define the elections. These include the persisting state of insecurity from the insurgency and activities of militants and vigilante groups, the high stakes of election as a result of the availability of derivation revenues, the ethnic heterogeneity that makes elite consensus more difficult to attain, as well as the difficult environmental terrain that makes policing of elections a herculean task. Preparations for the Elections The political temperature across the country is heating up in preparation for the 2015 elections. While some state governors are up for re-election, most others are serving out their second terms. The implication is that most of the states are open for grab by either of the major parties and will therefore make the electoral contest fiercer in 2015 both within the political parties and in the general election.
    [Show full text]
  • (EFCC) ALONG LEADERSHIP REGIMES in NIGERIA Umar, Hassan Sa’Id Department of Public Administration, University of Abuja, Nigeria
    Global Journal of Political Science and Administration Vol.3, No.3, pp.1-9, July 2015 ___Published by European Centre for Research Training and Development UK (www.eajournals.org) AN ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENTIAL PERFORMANCES OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC) ALONG LEADERSHIP REGIMES IN NIGERIA Umar, Hassan Sa’id Department of Public Administration, University of Abuja, Nigeria ABSTRACT: One of the greatest enemies of human growth and societal development is corruption. More worrisome is when there is manifestly a deliberate failure to get rid of its spread and existence. This research is a survey type that assessed the perception of Nigerians on possible differential performance of EFCC along leadership regimes. This research is an extraction of a Ph.D thesis that explored both primary and secondary data. The theory of prismatic society provided a frame work for the analysis. The study reveals a differential perception on the performance of the EFCC along leadership regimes. It also shows that president Olusegun (1999-2007) is favorably higher in ranking in the fight against corruption than the YarAdua regime with Goodluck’s administration at lowest ebb of the score. The research concludes that the premise for this leadership cocksureness is the vacuum created by weak institution of governance. This vacuum provides an avenue for tendentious attitudes and despotic inclination to governance. The study recommends inter alia; a need for virile institutions of governance, political culture of discipline and leadership consciousness and conscious national agenda. KEYWORDS: Corruption, Leadership, Performance, Regime, Anticorruption INTRODUCTION The political administration system in Nigeria is said to have been largely influenced by the leadership qualities and disposition of the political head, elected or otherwise.
    [Show full text]
  • Ondo State Pocket Factfinder
    INTRODUCTION Ondo is one of the six states that make up the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. It has interstate boundaries with Ekiti and Kogi states to the north, Edo State to the east, Delta State to the southeast, Osun State to the northwest and Ogun State to the southwest. The Gulf of Guinea lies to its south and its capital is Akure. ONDO: THE FACTS AND FIGURES Dubbed as the Sunshine State, Ondo, which was created on February 3, 1976, has a population of 3,441,024 persons (2006 census) distributed across 18 local councils within a land area of 14,788.723 Square Kilometres. Located in the South-West geo-political zone of Nigeria, Ondo State is bounded in the North by Ekiti/Kogi states; in the East by Edo State; in the West by Oyo and Ogun states, and in the South by the Atlantic Ocean. Ondo State is a multi-ethnic state with the majority being Yoruba while there are also the Ikale, Ilaje, Arogbo and Akpoi, who are of Ijaw extraction and inhabit the riverine areas of the state. The state plays host to 880 public primary schools, and 190 public secondary schools and a number of tertiary institutions including the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure and Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. Arguably, Ondo is one of the most resource-endowed states of Nigeria. It is agriculturally rich with agriculture contributing about 75 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The main revenue yielding crops are cocoa, palm produce and timber.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria Nigeria at a Glance: 2005-06
    Country Report Nigeria Nigeria at a glance: 2005-06 OVERVIEW The president, Olusegun Obasanjo, and his team face a daunting task in their efforts to push through long-term, sustainable economic reforms in the coming two years. However, the recent crackdown on high-level corruption seems to point to the president!s determination to use his final years in power to shake up Nigeria!s political system and this should help the reform process. Given the background of ethnic and religious divisions, widespread poverty, and powerful groups with vested interests in maintaining the current status quo, there is a risk that the reform drive, if not properly managed, could destabilise the country. Strong growth in the oil and agricultural sectors will ensure that real GDP growth remains reasonably high, at about 4%, in 2005 and 2006, but the real challenge will be improving performance in the non-oil sector, which will be a crucial part of any real attempt to reduce poverty in the country. Key changes from last month Political outlook • There have been no major changes to the Economist Intelligence Unit!s political outlook. Economic policy outlook • There have been no major changes to our economic policy outlook. Economic forecast • New external debt data for 2003 show that the proportion of Nigeria!s debt denominated in euros was much higher than previously estimated. Owing to the weakness of the US dollar against the euro since 2003, this has pushed up Nigeria!s debt stock substantially, to US$35bn at the end of 2003. Despite limited new lending, mainly from multilateral lenders, we estimate that further currency revaluations and the addition of interest arrears to the short-term debt stock will push total external debt up to US$39.5bn by the end of 2006.
    [Show full text]